TFM-funded Electrification Project in DRC’s Tenke City gains Momentum
Access to electrical energy is at the heart of any sustainable development. Tenke Fungurume Mining has launched the Tenke City Electrification Project, which addresses one of the major concerns of this community.
The work is progressing rapidly, with the project already over 70% complete. TFM is carrying out this initiative through the Community Social Fund.
The project consists of the construction of an electrical substation, the installation and connection of the required equipment until commissioning.
In addition, the 10 MVA transformer will be installed and “little jeans” type poles will be placed for a distance of 13 km for the medium voltage lines in the towns of Tenke, New Kyamba, Joli Site, New Mitumba and New Kwatebala.
To connect the city of Tenke, it is planned to install a 500 KVA transformer, four visible sectioning boxes (BSA), poles for low voltage and 100 poles for public lighting.
“The new transformers have a capacity that will provide the city of Tenke with a quality of electric current without load shedding and cover future needs due to the rapid expansion of the city,” explained Ir. Moïse Kabila, construction section supervisor of the Community Social Fund.
“This acquisition will encourage SMEs from all sectors in the city of Tenke and boost the local economy. Thus, the youth unemployment rate will also be positively affected,” he added.
What do the people think?
“We are convinced that TFM is there for the well-being of the community. We have an unstable current. We use dynamos, generators and panels to be supplied with electric current. With this project, the future days in Tenke will be rosy,” said a Tenke resident visiting the substation.
“This project has many advantages, including the circulation of money due to the emergence of activities in various economic sectors,” said a female trader from Tenke.
The municipality of Fungurume had also benefited from an electrification project including the renovation of its electrical substation, the sanitation of the municipal electrical network and the development of public lighting, i.e. an investment of nearly 7, $5 million.
The Tenke electrification project aims to boost the socio-economic development of the city and its surroundings, in particular, and of the concession, in general. To ensure its sustainability, TFM aims for accountability and community ownership.
